If there’s one thing you’ll catch senior shopping writer Faith Richardson wearing constantly this summer it’s Saint and Sofia’s linen co-ord – it’s cool, comfortable, and easy to style
As Mirror’s senior shopping writer, it’s my job to stay on top of the never ending myriad of fashion trends that come our way. However no matter how many micro trends and ‘cores’ social media churns out, in my eyes you’ll never beat pieces that are effortless, timeless and don’t follow a trend.
So when I spotted this eternally-chic linen co-ord on Saint and Sofia’s website, I knew it was something I’d get more than my fair share of wear out of. The Black Linen Boyfriend Shirt (£99) and the matching Corinne Linen Pant (£99) have already become a true staple in my wardrobe, and I’ve been wearing them on repeat with plenty of different outfits combinations during the recent heatwave.
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The main reason I got my hands on the co-ord is the fact it’s made from great quality linen. And let me tell you, I’ve tried plenty of linen blend pieces over the years, and this is one of the most expensive-feeling sets around. It’s made from 70% viscose and 30% linen, which gives you the lightweight, breathable feel of true linen without being a total pain to iron and keep wrinkle free.
I wore both pieces together and separately during a recent trip, which involved lots of walking and 30 degree weather, and although I had the Black Linen Boyfriend Shirt on and off, draped over my shoulders and stuffed into a bag, there were hardly any creases on it at the end of the day. The same went for the Corinne Linen Pant, which withstood 22 thousand step counts, sitting down for dinner and lounging around on the bed after a long day, and they still looked good as new and ready to be worn the next day.
My other favourite thing about them is that effortless, oversized style that makes them look both chic, smart and laidback all at once. Now full disclosure, I sized up in the Corinne Linen Pant expecting them to be a little snug, but actually should have probably stuck to my usual size as they had plenty of room to spare. The same went for the Black Linen Boyfriend Shirt, which I bought in my usual size but was so oversized I could have sized down and still had the same relaxed fit.
Each item can be worn on its own, or mixed and matched with vest tops, denim shorts, bikini tops and jeans, not to mention worn with anything from flip flops to sandals and trainers to give you a whole host of different looks. The pieces are quite thick and heavy, and although they’re still incredibly cool and breathable to wear, they may be a little denser than some might expect.
They also only come in neutral shades, so if you’re hoping to bring some colour to your summer wardrobe, you won’t find that here – although I feel like the neutrals give them that classic, timeless look that means they’ll never go out of style.
If you want to bring a little more pizzazz to your holiday ‘fits, Nobody’s Child’s Linen-blend Swing Top (£47) and the matching Linen-blend Wide Leg Shona Trousers (£65) come in neutrals like cream and khaki, but are also available in bright red, as well as pinstripe and gingham prints. You can also pick up a budget friendly set at H&M, with the Linen Blend Shirt and the matching Wide Leg Linen Blend Trousers each costing £27.99.
However this summer, you’ll have to prise me out of Saint and Sofia’s Black Linen Boyfriend Shirt and Corinne Linen Pants – they’re my unofficial uniform of the season.